Kuper Academy has filled a particular niche on the West Island for a generation, says Joan Salette, the head of school. Children begin preschool at 3 years old, stay through elementary and high school, and are joined by siblings without any worry for the family about gender, language, extra-curricular activities, after-school programs or travel time.

“It’s all in one location for the entire family,” Salette said. “That’s what a family school is all about. “Because of our academic reputation, bilingual program, co-ed population and safe, convenient suburban location, we are their school of choice.”

The school was founded by Janet Perdue in 1986. Salette sent her own son Robert there for kindergarten (and he’s still there, now as director of admissions). As a teacher and businesswoman, Salette partnered with Perdue in the school, building and growing it from those first 19 students to more than 950 this year, with kids hailing from farther afield than just the West Island now. They come from T.M.R. to Kahnawake, from Hudson to downtown Montreal.

With a permit from the MELS (Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport) but no government subsidies, Kuper is able to accept students without certificates of English eligibility, an important market— and, as a privately owned institution, Salette said Kuper can focus “on every small detail to ensure children are happy and receiving the calibre of education that they expect, that their environment is beautiful as well as practical, and that their school life is rich and exciting.”

It’s a real, living, community school — a place where students of many cultures come together, bringing the wealth of their knowledge and experience from all corners of the globe. Yet, Kuper Academy is also a neighbourhood school “with that homey feel of belonging, where students stay for many years — up to 14!”

It’s a perfect fi t for the typical Kuper family, “two to three kids with highly educated parents who want a lot for their children, the whole package,” Salette said. And that’s exactly what the school offers: strong academics with a unique focus on mastery of English, sports, convenient daycare options, and a co-curricular school life with more than 30 clubs to stimulate kids’ interests in everything from tech team and yoga to knitting and model rocketry.

“Parents want a rich school experience. That’s what their children receive.”

After-school programs provide more added-value, especially in families where both parents are working. “To serve our community, we have to provide services,” Salette said.

There is a free drop-off at 7:30 a.m. and after-school daycare is available when families need it. “It’s for occasional or fulltime use; you are charged accordingly,” she said, adding that the flexibility is a boon to many working parents. Daycare begins with supervised homework, then playtime. “That’s how we’ve always done it, and it is a stress reliever, convenient for parents stuck in traffic who don’t want to worry about their child being unsupervised or doing homework at 8 p.m.”

Kuper’s physical environment is also a big draw: grassy areas with tall trees; a FIFA-certified artificial turf; play modules and large, paved playgrounds — 150,000 square feet of modern school buildings; a hockey arena, golf dome and more. The school even owns three shuttle buses for the numerous field trips and sporting events students attend and in which they participate. The top-notch facilities on 6½ prime acres in Kirkland between St-Jean and St-Charles Blvds. is easily accessible by car, bus and train. Inside, there are three gymnasiums, two computer labs, three science labs, two libraries, two art rooms, two music rooms, a drama room, a stage for productions, a large cafeteria and a training room. It’s a lot of school for what is generally considered an inexpensive — unsubsidized — private tuition, ranging from about $4,800 to $13,000.

Mindful of the importance that families — including a number of international visitors — place on mobility and a global world view, Kuper has tailored its French instruction to fit all student levels. Beginning in preschool with lessons for all, ranging from complete non-speakers to francophones, Salette said French instruction at Kuper Academy assures students’ proper progression and integration into successive levels — from accueil to langue maternelle.

“Non-homogenous classes don’t work well,” she said, “so I target French to the students’ level, and then they can jump ahead.”

It works, with many students taking final French exams a year early, in Grade 10, and studying more culture in Grade 11, then taking tests for their French international certificates (DELF).

Salette also saw a growing need for additional services for students with difficulties, responding with a full-time resource teacher and full-time psychologist — to meet both emotional and educational needs of the students, but also to support their families.

“This can be a big help,” she said. “Our program is challenging and we want all children in a family to stay together, so we make sure they get that support they need.”

From aspiring artists to budding research scientists, there is a place for every child at Kuper Academy.

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